Eco Printing and Natural Dyes
My work stems from my love of the outdoors that began as a child growing up in a little house in the big woods of northern California. Through catching salamanders in the creek, climbing trees, and picking berries, I became a keen observer of the natural world. I find beauty in the smallest details - ice covered lichen on a winter branch, the softness of a decomposing cedar stump, a big leaf maple leaf fluttering to the forest floor - and I love sharing my curiosity and enthusiasm for nature with others through my work as an artist and educator.
Through ecoprinting and using natural dyes, I create a unique way to connect with the beauty of nature. I prints leaves onto fabric and paper using only the natural pigments found within each individual leaf, a process often called "Eco Printing." Leaves are used only once and the resulting print shows the specific character of the plant - it tells the story of season, weather, and age. They are reminiscent of botanical drawings and are an invitation to slow down and take a closer look at the textures, patterns and beauty of nature.
My work is centered around northwest native plants and many are born from inspiration I receive through living and working at Cedar Dell Forest Farm, a 4 acre property just outside of Portland, Oregon.
